Is it cruel to give a baby a weird first name such as Galaxy Star or Buzz?

Do you think giving a baby a weird first name could be construed as selfish or even cruel to the child?

A survey by parenting website Netmums has revealed some very unusual names given to newborns, such as Lanesra (Arsenal spelt backwards), Galaxy Star, Cash, Buzz and Simba.

Celebrities have always had a penchant for strange choices (Apple, Cruz, Blue Ivy etc) but it seems non-famous parents are also piling in with contributions to the bizarre book of baby names.

Do you think giving a baby an odd first name helps or hinders the child, either when young or later on as a grown-up?

Does an unusual name help someone to stand out from the crowd or open them up to ridicule?

Is it selfish, or even cruel, for a parent to risk their child being taunted or bullied just so they can satisfy their personal tastes with a wacky name? Or do you think it’s good some parents break from the norm and get creative when naming their kids?

Do you have a name which could be considered as peculiar? What are the good and bad effects it’s had on you?

The Netmums research also found many parents believe names influence how teachers respond to children. George, Edward, Emily and Elizabeth are examples of names teachers are said to feel most positive about, while Jayden, Crystal, Bailey and Tyler are among the names seen as most likely to make teachers assume the children could misbehave.

Do you think there is prejudice from society to people with certain names, even relatively ‘normal’ names? Have you been guilty of it yourself?

Add your comments below.

The Burning Questions feature aims to discuss some of the oddities of life, settle some of its dafter perennial arguments and crack some of those tricky questions with readers’ collective knowledge.

If there is an issue you’re always squabbling about with workmates or friends or something that makes you go hmmm, email me with your suggestions for future burning questions to ask.

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Comments (10)

Is it cruel to give a baby a weird first name such as Galaxy Star or Buzz?

PaulErith says...8:17am Thu 24 Apr 14

I don't think it's cruel, just extremely chavy! When you hear a young 'lady' shouting at her stupidly named kid, it always seems to be the young mum with tacky tattoos and a big old gob on her.

I don't think it's cruel, just extremely chavy! When you hear a young 'lady' shouting at her stupidly named kid, it always seems to be the young mum with tacky tattoos and a big old gob on her.PaulErith

I don't think it's cruel, just extremely chavy! When you hear a young 'lady' shouting at her stupidly named kid, it always seems to be the young mum with tacky tattoos and a big old gob on her.

Score: 18

ExilesHC says...11:14am Thu 24 Apr 14

The fact that the parent naming their child Lansera thinks that it is Arsenal spelled backwards is enough evidence to suggest that the "silly" name will be the least of the childs difficulties as he/she grows!!

The fact that the parent naming their child Lansera thinks that it is Arsenal spelled backwards is enough evidence to suggest that the "silly" name will be the least of the childs difficulties as he/she grows!!ExilesHC

The fact that the parent naming their child Lansera thinks that it is Arsenal spelled backwards is enough evidence to suggest that the "silly" name will be the least of the childs difficulties as he/she grows!!

Score: 8

the wall says...11:45am Thu 24 Apr 14

The kid can always change it when it grows up (Deed Poll).

The kid can always change it when it grows up (Deed Poll).the wall

The kid can always change it when it grows up (Deed Poll).

Score: -14

ExilesHC says...12:12pm Thu 24 Apr 14

Change it to Lanesra perhaps, which actually IS Arsenal spelled backwards!!

Change it to Lanesra perhaps, which actually IS Arsenal spelled backwards!!ExilesHC

Change it to Lanesra perhaps, which actually IS Arsenal spelled backwards!!

Score: 1

mumcabs says...12:17pm Thu 24 Apr 14

Of course it's cruel, and extremely stupid !

Of course it's cruel, and extremely stupid !mumcabs

Of course it's cruel, and extremely stupid !

Score: 20

Hyper-Deactive says...1:12pm Thu 24 Apr 14

I asked my daughter Shaniqua Delakwanda Jones and she said that she cant stand all these stupid names either.

I asked my daughter Shaniqua Delakwanda Jones and she said that she cant stand all these stupid names either.Hyper-Deactive

I asked my daughter Shaniqua Delakwanda Jones and she said that she cant stand all these stupid names either.

Score: 5

mb2786 says...6:46pm Thu 24 Apr 14

I have a "peculiar" name, I was named after my Great grandma. At school other children made fun of my name. As a teenager it gave me an "exotic edge" though, and people praised it instead. As an adult, I find the cons outweigh the pro's, because even though it is meant to be a British name of Victorian origin, no one has ever heard of it and people constantly misspell it or have trouble pronouncing it (which can get irritating). And having a peculiar name, hasn't made me a more interesting person or more successfull than someone with a more common name. As Shakespeare said "a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet".

I have a "peculiar" name, I was named after my Great grandma. At school other children made fun of my name. As a teenager it gave me an "exotic edge" though, and people praised it instead. As an adult, I find the cons outweigh the pro's, because even though it is meant to be a British name of Victorian origin, no one has ever heard of it and people constantly misspell it or have trouble pronouncing it (which can get irritating). And having a peculiar name, hasn't made me a more interesting person or more successfull than someone with a more common name. As Shakespeare said "a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet".mb2786

I have a "peculiar" name, I was named after my Great grandma. At school other children made fun of my name. As a teenager it gave me an "exotic edge" though, and people praised it instead. As an adult, I find the cons outweigh the pro's, because even though it is meant to be a British name of Victorian origin, no one has ever heard of it and people constantly misspell it or have trouble pronouncing it (which can get irritating). And having a peculiar name, hasn't made me a more interesting person or more successfull than someone with a more common name. As Shakespeare said "a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet".

Score: 5

Hk says...5:16pm Fri 25 Apr 14

I dont think it is cruel. Every parent has the right to call their child what they want. In this day and age I dont think people are as quick to judge if a child/person has a different/strange name.

I dont think it is cruel. Every parent has the right to call their child what they want. In this day and age I dont think people are as quick to judge if a child/person has a different/strange name.Hk

I dont think it is cruel. Every parent has the right to call their child what they want. In this day and age I dont think people are as quick to judge if a child/person has a different/strange name.

Score: -12

paulbexleyheath says...5:16pm Mon 28 Apr 14

most muvas in essex have given there sprogs supid name . like where they was conceived etc. im suprised more havnt got names like 7up or lakesidebogs

most muvas in essex have given there sprogs supid name .
like where they was conceived etc.
im suprised more havnt got names like 7up or lakesidebogspaulbexleyheath

most muvas in essex have given there sprogs supid name . like where they was conceived etc. im suprised more havnt got names like 7up or lakesidebogs

Score: 0

paulbexleyheath says...7:21pm Mon 28 Apr 14

PaulErith wrote…

I don't think it's cruel, just extremely chavy! When you hear a young 'lady' shouting at her stupidly named kid, it always seems to be the young mum with tacky tattoos and a big old gob on her.

think that "lady" ?? lives down my road . a rite gobby cant

[quote][p][bold]PaulErith[/bold] wrote:
I don't think it's cruel, just extremely chavy! When you hear a young 'lady' shouting at her stupidly named kid, it always seems to be the young mum with tacky tattoos and a big old gob on her.[/p][/quote]think that "lady" ?? lives down my road . a rite gobby cantpaulbexleyheath

PaulErith wrote…

I don't think it's cruel, just extremely chavy! When you hear a young 'lady' shouting at her stupidly named kid, it always seems to be the young mum with tacky tattoos and a big old gob on her.

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